Special Feature MOUNTAIN VIEW : The World War II Years
By David P Salinero MVHA Member
In the late 1930s through the 1940s , Mountain View began a journey from a mostly agricultural community to one centered on technical innovation . With its proximity to engineering schools , the area was ripe to be turned into Silicon Valley . During this journey , one can see the cultural diversity that made up Mountain View and continues today . World War II was a major factor in both the dark days and celebrations during this time . Let ’ s review some of the events of this key decade in the history of Mountain View .
In the same year the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics ( NACA ) broke ground at Moffett Field for what would later be named the Ames Aeronautical Laboratory . This facility has a long history of designing and testing aircraft , missiles , satellites , and space craft . The lab became part of NASA and played a key role in space exploration . This 1944 photo of Ames shows the wind tunnels that were used to test the aerodynamics of objects .
The Treasure Island Golden Gate International Exposition in 1939 celebrated the building of the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge . It showcased innovation from many companies . The Mountain View Highway School 8th Grade Class visited the Exposition . Students brought home inspiration and displayed photos of the fair in their 1939 graduation picture ( above ). Later in the decade , an especially large object from the fair would end up as a prominent landmark in Mountain View . More about this later .
By far , the major event of this decade was World War II . Over 250 Mountain View High School students are listed as “ Boys in Service .” Paper shortages during the war prevented the printing of a 1943 MVHS yearbook .
Food shortages affected all Americans , who experienced rationing of sugar and coffee . The government set up a point system for staples such as canned fruits , vegetables , and soups . Many of the Mountain View residents worked in the orchards and canneries in and around the valley and did their share to produce canned goods . Americans had to apply for a War Rations Book with stamps which were used to receive rations . The scarcer the food , the more points that were needed to purchase the item . In January 1943 , the U . S . Of�ice of Price Administration explained it this way :
Every week we are sending shiploads of canned goods to feed our �ighting men and our �ighting allies in Africa , Britain , and the Paci�ic Islands . We must see that they get all the food they need .
We at home will share all that is left . Point Rationing will be used to guarantee you and everyone a fair share of America ’ s supply of canned and processed fruits and vegetables , soups and juices .
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